Listening

All of You is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need. You satisfy me with Your love, and all I have in You is more than enough.

All of You, who God is, all of His character, all of His ability, all of His being, all of Him - love, mercy, grace, goodness, providence, holiness, peace, patience, gentleness, tenderness, honesty, reality, justice, the list could go on throughout eternity - is more than enough for all of me - my weakness, frailty, neediness, insecurities, inadequacies, dirty little secrets, worries, my junk, the desires of my heart, my loneliness, heartache, my humanness.

You satisfy me with Your love - satisfaction is found only in You, not in the friends, strangers, movies, music, books, activities, busyness, hobbies I try to fill my life with. I have searched the heights and the darkest depths; everything else leaves me wanting. And what fulfillment, what peace, what comfort and security Your love brings - to know You and be loved is enough.

And all I have in You - salvation, eternal life, peace, joy, hope - is more than enough.

If the above is true, why is it so hard to let You be more than enough, even merely enough, when that is all You want from me - my heart, all of it, to lean on You, trust You, be real with You? When You asked me to let You be more than enough, why I wouldn't let You be more than enough, I was (and today still am) so quick to say, yes, that's what I want too...but I still want x, y and z?

I'm sorry I keep trying to wriggle free from Your embrace. Jesus, rain on me with love until I drown.

I miss you, friend. Hope you are well. Talk to you soon.

Unbelievable

Is it possible for your thinking to disrupt your peace? Have you ever heard God whisper, "Here it is. This is what I have for you. This is what you've been waiting for," and you respond so thankfully, so excited at first only to dwell on what you still don't have and how this is definitley not what you asked for?

It's pretty crazy to know God still wants my heart after I've slapped Him in the face yet again. I will never understand why God is so good, but I am so glad He is.

You did tell me so, didn't you?

Talk to you soon, friend.

Incredible Love

I am so glad these things are true - completely, absolutely and eternally true.

- God, Jesus, the Spirit loves me. Oh, yes He does.
- In spite of everything I do, all the crap I pull, as hard as I try and run, He loves me.
- His desire is that I would know Him, know the breadth, depth, height and width of His love for me, be captivated by His love and love Him in return.
- He knows exactly how to capture my attention, just what will touch my heart.
- He sees what is in my heart, even when I can't seem to tell Him any of it.
- He is still with me, will call to me when I am in the wilderness, even when I have wandered there in my own foolishness, selfishness and stuborness.

His pursuit of me, His desire for my heart astounds me. Amazing that He knows how to hug my soul just right to say, "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I love you, now and always. Talk to Me. Cry to Me. Trust Me."

The lessons we learn over and over...He must really want us to know.

Talk to you soon, friend.

My Heart

Oh, my God
Shine Your light on us
That we might live
Oh, my God
Shine Your light on us
That we might live
I've been holding on
I've been holding on
All that is inside me
Screams to come back home
If you feel lost
If you feel lost
Sing along
If you feel tired
If you feel tired
Sing along
If you feel lost and tired
This is your song
I've been broken down
I've been broken down
I ain't giving up
Love will come back around
Sine Your light
Shine it down
Let Your rescue come for us, we long to love

Shine Your Light On Us
Robbie Seay Band - Give Yourself Away

Jesus, words are not enough. You see and know my heart. Shine Your light. Rescue me.

Wish I could sleep...

Why is it so difficult for brokenhearted people to admit they are hurting, for me to say I'm hurting? Why is there a need to put up a front, a facade, and declare to the world that we're fine? What impression does the tough girl image really give off anyways, that I'm strong and confident, persistent, moved by nothing and able to handle anything? If they look a little closer, won't they see right through me?

Do I think God doesn't see through it? Doesn't He know me in all of my frailty, all my weakness? Then why can't I say I need to talk to You?

I'm not sure if I'm scared He'll yell at me or be angry with me, disown me or get fed up and quit listening to me after I throw out a million excuses for why I've been just so. Part of me wishes He'd yell at me. Maybe then I'd get so upset and flustered that it'd all come spilling out and I'd say everything I need to say. Maybe then I'd feel like He actually cared, was still after me. But how often does it really work like that?

Even if we are in the same room, I can't seem to say anything, can't even look at Him. I can't look at the tears roll down His face. I'm not seeing His pain, not seeing how much His heart is broken over my broken heart. I don't see how much it hurts Him for me to think He doesn't care, to run farther and faster with that thought pushing me. He would cry with me if I let Him. He would wrap me up in His arms if I let Him. No matter how far I go, He will always welcome me home.

Maybe all I have to do is knock, look at Him when the door opens, run, and fall in His arms.

Now for the courage. It's going to be a long night.

Scene

You quietly knock on the door and listen for that strong but gentle voice to answer. Watching you stand frozen in the doorway, He beckons you to come in and sit down. Once you get past greetings and small talk, He asks you what you came to see Him for, mentions that you haven't been around in a while. He knows something's wrong and wants you to tell Him all of what's on your mind. Eyes lowered and voice low, blinking back tears, you try to verbalize all that you've repeatedly rehearsed in your head and utter a few words, then pause. You can't think of anything to say. All you've come up with is a list of pitiful excuses, excuses that don't really explain anything and make you feel worse as you go along. You know you should start over with an apology for everything - running off, being distant - but in your mind that won't even chip the ice. After stumbling halfway through a few sentences, you do apologize, for being a bother. And quickly, you get up and leave.

End scene.

What do you do? What do you say? What do I do?

I'm so glad God is patient and shows me grace everyday, especially today.

I love Robbie Seay Band: In my darkest night You brighten up the sky. A song will rise. I will sing a song of hope, sing along, God of heaven come down, heaven come down. Just to know that You are near is enough. God of heaven come down, heaven come down. Oh, sing a song of hope, sing along, God of heaven come down, heaven come down. Just to know You and be loved is enough. God of heaven come down, heaven come down, yeah.

To know that He is near...

Talk to you soon, friend.

Grace to trust You more, be so much more than enough

How many times has this been the cry of my heart? I have a feeling this is my answer. Never promised to answer the way I wished, did He?

When you ask God for patience, does He grant you more patience, or an opportunity to be patient? God wants to do in your life what your mind has never conceived.

Apparently, He answers requests of faith and satisfaction that way as well. And maybe the latter reason is why.

Christ does not always immediatley calm the storm, but He is always willing to calm His child on the basis of His presence. "If I continue to let the storm swell, it is because I want you to see me walk on the water." - Beth Moore

You race to meet me and bring me back to life. I'm looking.

Sweet Sleep

After a sleepless night fueled by a restless spirit and running imagination, the morning greeted me with this:

Give to the wind your fears. Hope and be undismayed. God hears your sighs and counts your tears. God will lift up your head. - Jars of Clay

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Paul prays this prayer for the Ephesians: I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immesurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

If the test is to strengthen my faith in Christ, grow in the understanding of His love and know what David meant when he said my cup overflows, is it worth it? If I gain nothing but a closer walk with Him, receive His love in every situation, is it worth it? If all that He has is nothing I ask or imagine but it brings Him glory, is it worth it?

Tough questions. Something to think about.

What the Crap?

So yesterday...

Him: Ok. What else? What's up?
Me: Nothin, that's it.
Him: What's with the defensive posture?
Me: This is not defensive posture.
Him: Then why are your knees pulled up in front of your chest, protecting your vital organs? If I put you in front of a wall, you'd be ready for a tornado drill.
Me: That's not funny.
Him: I didn't say it was...

Still hasn't rained, no flood. A couple of sprinkles though, brief, few and far between.

Music: ...today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way. Jesus can You show me just how far the east is from the west...

Drought

I'm just waiting for the waterworks. It's about time for a flood. I can see the clouds lining up.

Song today: What if I ignored the hand that fed me? What if I forgot to confess? What if I stumbled down that mountain? Then would You love me less? Would You love me less? What if I were everyone's last choice? What if I mixed in with the rest? What if I failed what I passed before? Then would You love me less? Lord, would You love me less? You say I belong to You apart from the things I do. I'm in awe of why You do.

Place your ear against the chest of the Savior so that, when troubled times come, you may not know what will befall you, but you can hear the steady pulse of the boundless love of Him who holds you. - Beth Moore

Talk to you soon, friend.

Boxes

I was praying for you and some other friends a couple of days ago. I made it through the list, all except for one name, the last person. Me.

I don't know why it's this way, but often times it's so much easier to pray for others, to believe God for other people, than it is to ask Him for something for me. It's much worse when we're not on the best terms, but I have that problem even when we're best friends. And it's not with everything, just some things.

God can bring healing to a friend's sick body, provide rest for another, come through and let situations work out for yet another. And I know He can do those very same things for me. But a lot of times, our conversations go like this:

Me: Hey Poppa.
Him: Hey honey. How was your day?
Me: Oh, You know...
Him: Yeah? Well, what's up?
Me: Would you be with x, y and z and do this for them...
Him: No problem. Anything else, dear one?
Me: ...No...
Him: What's the matter? Are you forgetting that I see your heart?

I can take God out of the box and watch Him do miracles all around me. So why stuff Him back in when it comes to me?

I know, He just wants me to tell Him. Pray that I tell Him, soon.

My Father Sings Over Me

I've told you before that one of my favorite things to see is dads who are in love with their little girls. The end of Sam's story, remember? You said it was cute. Anyways, I love to watch them together, whether it's a dad sitting across from his 8-year-old daughter at the Indian restaurant or the two following each other down aisles at Barnes&Noble.

Listening to the radio this morning got me thinking about what a great Dad God is and how amazing it is that He is our Father. Susan was talking about all the things we are to Him - precious, friend, beautiful, adopted, beloved, chosen, favored, the list goes on. He takes delight in us, rejoices over us with singing. And His pursuit of us is relentless and active. All around, if we look, the evidence screams that He wants us to know in our heart these things and wants a relationship with us.

Even when we're rotten kids, when I'm a rotten kid. When I'm a spoiled little brat and throw a huge tantrum and slam doors in a fit of rage and frustration and disappointment, He still calls me His precious daughter. Even when I give Him the silent treatment, He still loves me. And no matter what I do, what foolishness I get into, He tells me everyday.

EVERYDAY.

I still upset Him, I'm sure. I do things that bug the crap out of Him, frustrate Him to no end, disappoint Him. But that doesn't change who He says I am or who I am to Him. I think if He were human, He might have disowned me by now.

Maybe He sings different songs on different days, depending on how we're doing, how things are going between us. If we're stressed out and busy, maybe He sings to us to be quiet now and rest. If we're distant and doubting, upset and hurting, maybe He sings that He's always loved us and always will, that we belong to Him apart from the things we do, that He is near.

Even if we've had an argument and I've gone to bed angry, I am so glad He still comes to the door, looks in on me and softly sings.

Me singing today: Broken in two, Lord I know You're on to me, that I only come home when I'm so all alone, but I do believe. And not everything is gonna be the way you think it ought to be. It seems like every time I try to make it right it all comes down on me. Please say honestly You won't give up on me, and I shall believe.

Talk to you soon, friend.

Footprints

Why is it that when we look at our lives and see two sets of footprints, we relax, tend to breathe easier and rest in the knowledge that no matter what the problem or situation, God is in the midst? Why is the waiting maybe not easier, but less frenzied, heart-racing and panicked?

If we truly believe that God is who He says He is, can and will do what He says He can and will do, is not man that can lie, will never default on His promises - including the one to never leave nor forsake us and is at the very core of His being LOVE, why do we flip out when all we can see is this:




Just something to think about.

Faith never denies reality but leaves room for God to grant a new reality. - Jim Cymbala

Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.

Talk to you soon, friend.

Dear gracious

Stuck is an awful place to be. News, right?

Last week Chris told me the story about the little girl stuck up in the tree and her dad's standing below with his arms out telling her to jump. He just stands there as long as it takes, waiting. I feel like God's said, "Call me when you're ready" and gone inside.

You would think the longer you put it off, the easier it would be to jump, the more you would want to come down. Exhausted, worn down, ready to get back to life ... Guess I've got to move first, right?

Song of the day: Fall down on me, draw me to my knees. Pour over me deeper than the sea. Rain on me with love until I drown. I need You to fall down.

Song of Hope

I've heard it said before by quite a few people, that there comes a point when you have to decide for yourself what you believe. Not just surfacey stuff, but deep down in your gut, would bet your life on believe. I thought I'd had that moment already. Maybe if I had, I'd be able to put my finger on it and say this is when I knew without a doubt.

It's so easy to believe God when everything's sunny, when things are easy and going just as planned. It's such a challenge when things start to go south. Even with all of the crap that I put Him through, He never ceases to amaze me, to stick by me and say, no matter what happens, I love you, and I'm not going to let you go. Just wait and see. We can plug it out day by day, I don't care. I just want you to know how much I love you and will always love you. I wish you wouldn't doubt it, doubt Me. Believe He loves me, and know in my heart what that means. And RECEIVE His love, not just know about it and understand it.

Maybe then I can say this: I am Yours regardless of the clouds that may loom above because You are much greater than the pain. You who made a way for me, suffering Your destiny. So tell me, what's a little rain? So I pray bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free. Bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus, bring the rain.

Doesn't MercyMe say it well?

I bought this shirt from Jesus Branded - The King and I (Psalm 108:6). The text description says No matter where you are, you cannot escape the reach of our God. Should you fall, His loving hand will be there to catch you, for you are his beloved and he is your King. At the top of the shirt near the collar is a falling body. At the tail are two large hands, cupped and ready to catch the falling girl. It reminds me of the faith fall. I don't know how many times I've climbed up on the little platform, put my heels over the edge, folded my arms across my chest and leaned back into a group's zippered arms. So many times I've done it without thinking, even volunteered to go last because I knew it wouldn't be difficult. This time though, every muscle in my body is tense. Even though everyday He reminds me that I am His beloved, I think He'll tire of me fighting Him, and pull His hands away. A friend of mine said the other day that He'll be there with His arms (or hands) open waiting until I decide to let go (or lean back), He's not going anywhere.

Just something to think about. Talk to you soon, friend.

Leaps and bounds

Hey Jerry,

You said want and desire are not the same thing, that we often want what we want instead of what He desires for us, and the difference is that there's no I in HE. And I pondered. Where do you think that getting to the place where what you want is what He desires comes from? What helps you to get there? Is it merely faith? Is it being truly satisfied in Him?

I read this today from Beth Moore: "Believe it or not, the ultimate goal God has for us is not power but personal intimacy with Him. Yes, God wants to bring us healing, but more than anything, He wants us to know our Healer. Yes, He wants to give us resurrection life, but more than that, He wants us to know the Resurrection and the Life...His chief objective is to keep us connected entirely to Him...My Father, You are the Lord my God. I desire to love You, listen to Your voice, and hold fast to You, for You, Lord, are my life. The giant step in the walk to faith is the one we take when we decide God no longer is a part of our lives. He is our life."

You've told me before, and maybe now I realize it. Somedays I think this is my "how much do you trust Me" moment. And I'm sure you're right, when I'm through, I will understand in a new way what depending on God, Him being enough, means. Maybe it's all a part of taking that giant step.

Talk to you soon, friend.